A COLLEGE has launched an apprenticeship and trainee programme to battle youth unemployment and improve the prospects of their students.

Harrow College, which has a campus in both Lowlands Road, Harrow on the Hill, and Brookshill, Harrow Weald, believes that due to increased university tuition fees and the tough labour market that apprenticeships and traineeships are vital for young people who are looking to make the transition from education to employment.

The apprenticeships programme is open to the age group 16 to 24, while the traineeships are open to 16 to 18 year-old students.

Those on the apprenticeship programme will gain experience working with professionals to gain specific job skills as part of their qualification, while the traineeships on offer will give young people the chance to develop general skills and workplace experience that employers rate as essential.

Amber Wilson, a Harrow College student on the NVQ in business administration apprenticeship said: “I previously enrolled as a full-time student but found that it wasn’t the right path for me. An apprenticeship gives me more opportunity to learn in a work environment whilst still getting support from Harrow College to learn in a way that’s more relevant to me.”

Colin Thomas, from EMR Silverthorn who employed Amber Wilson said: “We chose to hire an apprentice as we were keen to educate new talent in the local community. So far, the impact of having an apprentice has been positive, with four days in the office and one day at college.”

For apprentice vacancies see www.harrow.ac.uk, call 020 8909 6333 or email apprenticeships@harrow.ac.uk.